PCOS – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome : Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – PCOS – is one of the most common female endocrine disorders affecting approximately 5%-10% of women of reproductive age (12-45 years old) and is thought to be one of the leading causes of infertility. In each menstrual cycle, follicles grow on the ovaries. Eggs develop within those follicles, one of which will reach maturityfaster than the others and be released into the fallopian tubes. This is “ovulation”. The remaining follicles will degenerate. In the case of polycystic ovaries, however, the ovaries are larger than normal, and there are a series of undeveloped follicles that appear in clumps, somewhat like a bunch of grapes. Polycystic ovaries are not especially troublesome and may noteven affect your fertility. However, when the cysts cause a hormonal imbalance, a pattern ofsymptoms may develop. This pattern of symptoms is called asyndrome. These symptoms are the difference between suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome and from polycystic ovaries. So you can have polycystic ovaries without having PCOS. However,nearly all women with PCOS will have polycystic ovaries. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the name given to a metabolic condition in which a woman will have polycystic ovaries, along with a certain pattern of other symptoms that reflect imbalances in reproductive and other hormones.

How Common Is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common hormonal disorder occurring in women during their reproductive years. It’s thought that 4% to 10% of all women have the disorder. However, since many women don’t know they have polycystic ovarian syndrome or some aspect of it, the actual number probably exceeds 10%. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the leading causes of infertility. Symptoms frequently start to show up soon after puberty.

What Causes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

The principal features are obesity, anovulation (resulting in irregular menstruation), acne, and excessive amounts or effects of androgenic (masculinizing) hormones. The symptoms and severity of the syndrome vary greatly among women. While the causes are unknown, insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity are all strongly correlated with PCOS. Polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome have been associated with one or more of these factors:

• Genetic predisposition.
• Insulin resistance or hyperinsulinism (high blood levels of insulin).
• Obesity.
• Hyperandrogenism (excessive production of male hormones).
• Abnormality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (organ/hormonal disorder).
• Environmental chemical pollution (hormonal disruptors)
• Food adulterantion (excitatory amino acids, for example)
• Chronic inflammation.

Some of these causal factors may also be consequences of polycystic ovary disease. In other words, we have an amazingly complex network of interacting variables, each of which influences the other. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is not a simple disease with a single cause. PCOS is a total body endocrine disease. It is unfortunate and confusing that the word “Ovary” appears in the name. The abnormalities in the ovary are really more the result of the problem – not the cause.

What are the Symptoms of PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome presents a complex and baffling array of symptoms, consisting of some combination of the following symptoms that vary with each individual:

• Multiple ovarian cysts
• Irregular or absent menses
• Infertility
• Acne
• Obesity or inability to lose weight
• Excessive body or facial hair (hirsutism)
• Insulin resistance and possibly diabetes
• Thinning of scalp hair
• Velvety, hyperpigmented skin folds (acanthosis nigricans)
• High blood pressure
• Polycystic ovaries that are 2-5 times larger than healthy ovaries.
• Impaired lung function
• Sleep apnea
• Fatty liver degeneration (NAFLD)
• Disordered immune system
• Mood disorders, including anxiety and depression
• Appetite disorder
• High blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides)
• Increased probability of cardiovascular disease or diabetes
• Multiple hormone imbalances, commonly including:[ Androgens (testosterone), Cortisol, Estrogens, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), Insulin, LH (luteinizing hormone), progesterone, Prolactin, and Thyroid hormones ]

Despite all the complications that involves PCOS, there are natural health solutions for PCOS, polycystic ovaries and ovarian cysts that can help you to…

• Regulate your periods
• Improve your fertility
• Diminish risk of miscarriage
• Relieve depression and anxiety
• Lose unwanted fat and gain toned muscle
• Have more energy on a consistent basis
• Clear up acne
• Reduce excessive hair growth
• Normalize skin tone and texture
• Minimize heart disease and diabetes risk
• Lessen the need for expensive medications

 

I highly recommend the Whole Body Fertility book , inspired by the clinical successes of  John Miley (L.Ac, NCCAOM, Minnesota Board of  Medical Practice) has seen with fertility patients (just like you) trying to improve their chances of getting pregnant naturally.

 

Also, The PCOS Success System! is a valuable resource that provides regular weekly e-classes, newsletters, teleseminars, and direct email support.
The creator of  The PCOS Success System! , is Australian naturopath and author Julie Merrick. She  has a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Complementary Medicine, and was the recipient of the 2008 global ‘Best Of The Best’ Award in the Wellness Industry. She has both personal and professional experience with PCOS, having overcome the condition herself through natural means, and wishes to share the knowledge and success she has gained through her own experience, with women around the world. Her program provides the  ebook and book ‘POWER over PCOS’, as well as an  Online Mentoring Program that provides regular weekly e-classes, newsletters, teleseminars, and direct email support.